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In the early United States, the division between state powers and federal powers was very clear. States regulated within their borders, and the federal government regulated national and international issues

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The institution of slavery, deeply ingrained in the Southern economy and way of life, was a major point of contention. As the nation expanded westward, the question of whether new states would be free or slave further inflamed tensions.

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The Southern economy was heavily reliant on agriculture and slave labor, while the Northern economy was more industrialized and diversified. These differences led to conflicting economic policies and a lack of understanding between the two regions.

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Westward Expansion and the Kansas-Nebraska Act

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Westward Expansion and the Kansas-Nebraska Act

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As the United States acquired new territories, the question of whether these lands would be free or slave states fueled conflict and further polarized the nation.

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Westward Expansion and the Kansas-Nebraska Act

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Compromises like the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, which attempted to resolve the slavery issue, ultimately proved ineffective and further inflamed tension

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Abolitionist John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, though unsuccessful, heightened fears in the South and solidified their view of Northern abolitionists as a threat.

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This act, part of the Compromise of 1850, required citizens to assist in capturing and returning runaway slaves, further angered many in the North and strengthened the abolitionist movement.

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The election of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican who opposed the expansion of slavery, in 1860, prompted several Southern states to secede, ultimately leading to the outbreak of war.

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Political disagreements over slavery, particularly its expansion into new territories, escalated tensions between the North and South, leading to a breakdown in compromise.

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The growing anti-slavery movement in the North, fueled by moral arguments and the Underground Railroad, added to the pressure on the South.

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Following the election of Abraham Lincoln, Southern states seceded from the Union, triggering the war.

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The Supreme Court's decision denied citizenship to enslaved people and effectively prohibited Congress from banning slavery in territories, further dividing the country.

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The Confederate attack on this federal fort in Charleston, South Carolina, marked the beginning of the Civil War.

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Violence and unrest in Kansas over the issue of slavery highlighted the deep divisions within the country.

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The growing strength of the abolitionist movement and the emergence of radical abolitionists like John Brown further polarized public opinion and fueled tensions.